To register your Colorado vehicle for the first time, visit your local DMV office with your
title, proof of ID, a VIN verification form if required, an emissions inspection form (if applicable to your county), and payment for your registration fee. Dealers will typically handle the registration on brand new cars.

Vehicle registration is required for all Colorado car owners. Below you'll find all the information you'll need for registering with the CO
Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Military Vehicle Registration in Colorado

Non-Residents Stationed in CO

If you're an active, out-of-state military member stationed in Colorado, you have two options:

You may keep your current registration with your home state. OR

You may choose to register your vehicle in Colorado if you're going to be in the state for an extended period of time.

If you DO choose to register your vehicle in the state as an active military member, you'll need to comply with all Colorado emissions laws and requirements, but
you're exempt from paying the state's Specific Ownership Tax. To qualify for this waiver, bring to the DMV office in your county (in addition to the documents described above):

A copy of your orders proving you're stationed in a Colorado military base.

Resident Colorado Military Personnel

If you are a Colorado resident currently
serving in-state in the military, simply follow the same process outlined above for vehicle registration.

If you are
stationed out of state and wish to register a purchased car in Colorado, the easiest way to do so is by calling the Colorado DMV. They will help walk you through specific steps to register your vehicle.

Vehicle Registration Fees

Ownership tax – This is a personal property tax based on the worth of your vehicle when it was brand new.

Depending on your county, the Colorado DMV may have a vehicle registration fee estimator on its website (you can find your county website by
checking out the county list). Otherwise, you'll need to visit your county's DMV registration office in person to obtain the exact fee.

All Colorado Division of Motor Vehicle offices accept cash. Some county offices do accept MasterCard, VISA, and Discover.

Colorado Vehicle Inspections

The following counties require mandatory smog checks for all residents:

Boulder.

Broomfield.

Denver.

Douglas.

Jefferson.

Only certain sections of the following counties require emission tests:

Adams.

Arapahoe.

El Paso.

Larimer.

Weld.

If you're unsure if a smog check is required, call your respective county office. We also have more detailed information, including the types of inspections and exemptions for each county, on our
Colorado Smog and Emissions Check page.

Colorado License Plates

When applying for vehicle registration, the Colorado
Division of Motor Vehicles gives you plenty of license plate options. You can opt for standard plates at no additional cost, or order specialized plates for an additional fee promoting your college or favorite Colorado sports team.